The first modern art museum to be founded in Latin America, the Museu de Arte Moderna (MAM, Av. Pedro Alvares Cabral, Portão 3, Ibirapuera, tel. 11/5549-9688, www.mam.org.br, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Tues.–Sun., R$5.50, free Sun.) actually focuses more on Brazilian contemporary works than modern art per se (this due to the confusing fact that in 1963, the MAM’s director donated the modern collection to MAC—as a result, when the museum began rebuilding its collection, its focus was on contemporary pieces).

A trio of temporary exhibits showcase works from the permanent collection along with visiting national and international exhibitions.

The curving glass and concrete building was designed by Oscar Niemeyer and then renovated by Lina Bo Bardi in the 1970s. Aside from a museum shop, there is a lovely minimalist restaurant, serving contemporary fare, that looks out onto the sculpture garden and the Oca, a spacey dome-shaped Niemeyer pavilion—its name, “Oca,” comes from its resemblance to similarly shaped indigenous dwellings—where temporary art exhibits and other events are held.